Pepper shaker

ABSTRACT

A condiment dispenser in the shape of a dog which is restricted to use with pepper and is constructed with pepper-dispensing openings in the dog shape&#39;s hindquarters, so that in use it functions as a pepper shaker, but is able to be advertised to purchasers, using a play on words, as a pooper, rather than a pepper, shaker to thereby significantly contribute to its purchase on impulse.

[0001] The present invention relates generally to improvements in a novelty article of manufacture in the specific form of an animal-shaped salt or pepper shaker, in this case being limited to only dispensing pepper in which, more particularly, the improvements reside in correlated structure and mode of use changes which significantly contribute to the novelty value of the article.

Examples of the Prior Art

[0002] It is already known that externally shaped salt or pepper shakers have consumer appeal particularly when the shapes are of animals, such prior knowledge being exemplified by U.S. Design Pat. No. 11,293 for “Pepper or Salt Receptacle” issued to J. W. Hobbs on Jul. 8, 1879, the shape of the receptacle being of a seated dog, by U.S. Design Pat. No. 71,836 for “Salt and Pepper Shaker” issued to K. Iro on Oct. 6, 1926, the shape of the shaker being that of a standing dog, and by U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 135,285 for “Shaker for Salt and Pepper” issued to R. V. Ganz on Apr. 27, 1943, the shape of the shaker being of a pig, to mention but a few.

[0003] The novelty of each of the aforesaid is solely in the appearance for which design patent coverage is appropriate. In what functional structure is disclosed, namely, the dispensing openings for the pepper or salt, the selection of the location for these dispensing openings is in the head of the animal shape presumably so as not to detract from the patented appearance and also because of an unawareness of a different location option that significantly contributes to the novelty value of the shaker in a restricted use for dispensing pepper.

[0004] Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dog-shaped pepper shaker overcoming the foregoing and other shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] More particularly, it is an object to use to advantage the marketplace reality that a dog-shaped pepper shaker, of the nature involved, is purchased on impulse more than on necessity, and that the purchasing impulse is achieved through advertising, wherein the structural embodiment and mode of use of the pepper shaker are correlated to each other and to the noted advertising, all as will be better understood as the description proceeds.

[0006] The description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims.

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art dog-shaped pepper/salt shaker;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a dog-shaped pepper shaker according to the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a partial rear view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

[0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a typical use of the pepper shaker of FIGS. 2-4.

[0012] The prior art shaker 10 of FIG. 1, used either for salt or pepper, is provided with the external body shape of a dog, noted at 12, having a head 14 with a plural array of openings 16 through which pepper/salt (not shown) stored internally of the body 12 is dispensed onto foods profiting by the flavor added by the dispensed condiment.

[0013] Shown in FIG. 2 is a dog-shaped shaker 20 limited in use for pepper, a limitation which is in accordance with the present invention, said shaker 20 also differing from the prior art FIG. 1 shaker 10 in that it uses a location in the hindquarters 22 of the dog shape 24 for the plural array of openings 26, rather than the rear head location 28 of the FIG. 1 prior art shaker 10.

[0014] The reasons for the differences noted is that underlying the present invention is the recognition that the article of manufacture illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 and to be subsequently described in more detail, is of a nature that is purchased on impulse and that this is based on a perceived novelty of the construction or mode of use of the article by a purchaser which is typically conveyed to the purchaser by advertising. For the advertising to be effective in resulting in a sale, there must be a synergism between the perceived novelty and what is known by experience by the purchaser reading the advertising. In this case, the synergism understood to exist is to a purchaser's knowledge of city ordinances that require a pet owner to pick up after his/her pet dog. So well is this practice known that Webster's College Dictionary defines a “pooper scooper” in relation to the care of a pet dog. Utility-wise the article of FIGS. 2-5 is that of a shaker confined to use for “pepper” and contemplated advertising thereof will embody a cognitive synergism caused by similarity between the phonetically similar words “pepper” and “pooper” contributing to novelty value in the advertising of the shaker as a “pooper” shaker rather than as a “pepper” shaker as would be expected to be the case.

[0015] The dog-shaped pepper shaker 20 is provided with, as already noted, a dog-shaped body 24 of preferably ceramic construction material having an external surface 30 bounding an internal compartment 32 for storing pepper 34 inserted thereinto through an inlet opening 36 made accessible upon removal of a friction-fitting, or otherwise appropriately attached dog's simulated head 38. In depending relation from the body 24 are front legs 40 and the noted hindquarters 22, between which there is a clearance 42 bounded above a support surface 44 of a table or the like which facilitates the grasping of the body 24 preparatory to use.

[0016] The typical use is illustrated in FIG. 5 in which a user 46 grasping, as at 48, the pepper shaker 20 will announce his/her intended use of what will be articulated as a “pooper shaker,” to the delight of those at the dinner table 44 and, showing by example that intended use, the user 46 with the grasped pepper shaker 20 will make an actual use by reciprocating movements 50 which will result in pepper particulate, individually and collectively, designated 52, descending from the hindquarter exit openings 26 onto a food serving 54 beneath the shaker 20, the observed descent 56 contributing to the novelty value of the cognitive synergism caused by the phonetic similarity between the words “pepper” and “pooper.”

[0017] While the article of manufacture for practicing the within inventive method, as well as said method herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A construction with novelty value in enhancing the known functioning of a pepper shaker in the shaking dispensing of the condiment pepper upon foods, said construction comprising a hollow simulated dog of ceramic construction material sized to be grasped during shaking use in the hand of a user, a body with depending legs of said shape effective to provide a non-use condition thereof on a support surface with said body in a clearance position above said support surface to facilitate the grasping about said body in said hand of said user, said hollowness of said shape delimited by an external surface bounding a storage compartment for a supply of said pepper condiment, a supply of pepper condiment in said storage compartment, a hindquarters of said simulated dog shape, and plural pepper condiment dispensing openings characterized by embodiment in said hindquarters and in communication with said stored supply of pepper condiment, and operative up and down shaking of said grasped shape by said user effective to dispense pepper condiment through said hindquarters dispensing openings upon foods, whereby there is a cognitive synergism caused by similarity between the words pepper and pooper contributing to novelty value in the advertising of said shaker. 